The 24-year-old was due to visit a specialist for an assessment of the ligament damage which kept him out of the club's last game at Wigan.

Germany international Huth has been plagued by injuries since his £6million arrival at the Riverside Stadium from Chelsea in August 2006.

However, he has established himself in the team in the wake of Jonathan Woodgate's departure for Tottenham, forming solid partnerships with both England Under-21 international David Wheater and Austrian Emanuel Pogatetz.

Both he and manager Gareth Southgate will hope for positive news from the surgeon, although Boro are confident the current problem is not related to the foot injury which proved so troublesome last season.

The Teessiders also hope to learn later this week exactly how long midfielder Julio Arca will be sidelined by his ankle problem.

The 27-year-old was allowed to fly back to Argentina to consult a specialist there, and a verdict is expected within days.